Cardiovascular System - VOCABULARY Flashcards

Brachiocephalic trunk

First major branch of the aortic arch supplying the head, neck, and right upper limb.

Cranial (superior) vena cava

Large vein returning deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs to the right atrium.

Left subclavian artery

Branch of the aortic arch that supplies the left upper limb.

Root of pericardium

Base portion of the pericardium connected to the origins of the great vessels.

Auricle of the right atrium

Right atrial appendage that increases atrial capacity.

Aorta

Main artery leaving the left ventricle; distributes oxygenated blood to the body.

Intercostal artery

Artery that runs between the ribs as part of the systemic circulation.

Pulmonary trunk

Vessel carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Auricle of the left atrium

Left atrial appendage that increases atrial capacity.

Right ventricle

Lower right heart chamber that pumps blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery.

Pericardial space

Potential space between the parietal and visceral pericardium.

Interventricular groove

External heart groove that separates the ventricles and contains vessels.

Left ventricle

Thick-walled chamber that pumps blood to the systemic circulation.

Epicardium

The outer layer of the heart wall; also the visceral layer of the pericardium.

Myocardium

Muscular middle layer of the heart that contracts to pump blood.

Endocardium

Inner lining of the heart chambers and valves.

Pericardium

Double-layer sac surrounding the heart with parietal and visceral layers.

Parietal pericardium

Outer layer of the pericardium lining the fibrous sac.

Visceral pericardium

Inner layer (epicardium) that covers the heart